Key Fantasy Basketball Breakout Candidates for the 2026-27 Season

Brandon Miller, G/F, Charlotte Hornets: Miller's averages in the 2025-26 season mirrored his earlier performance but marked a rebound after injuries sidelined him for much of the 2024-25 season. With LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges traded, Miller is expected to take on a larger role. Additionally, with injuries affecting teammates Coby White and Kon Knueppel during the preseason, he may see increased opportunities early in the regular season. Last season, he approached top-50 fantasy player status, and he could improve further this year.

Kel'el Ware, C, Milwaukee Bucks: Following two seasons in Miami, Ware joined Milwaukee as part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. While he may not immediately start, he is positioned to thrive with the Bucks. Current starting center Myles Turner has limited rebounding value, and the Bucks have experimented with playing both Ware and Turner together during the preseason. Ware also neared the top 50 in fantasy rankings last season, making him a candidate for growth in Milwaukee.

Ty Jerome, G, Memphis Grizzlies: Following the trade of Ja Morant to Portland, Jerome has gained attention. Injuries limited him to 15 games last season, but he posted impressive averages of 19.7 points, 5.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers in those appearances. While it's ambitious to expect the same production over a full season, Jerome's opportunities in Memphis make him a player to watch.

Dylan Harper, G, San Antonio Spurs: Harper recently expressed ambitions to start in an interview but has been filling in due to De’Aaron Fox's minor injury. In the postseason, he averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game despite starting only twice. His performance indicates that he can contribute even without a starting role, and it is likely he will play more than the 22.6 minutes he averaged in the previous regular season.

Ausar Thompson, G/F, Detroit Pistons: Like his brother Amen, Ausar has struggled with perimeter shooting but excels in other areas. He led the NBA in steals per game last season and is expected to receive more playing time than the 26 minutes he averaged. Any improvement in his shooting could significantly enhance his fantasy value.

Cason Wallace, G/F, Oklahoma City Thunder: Wallace has demonstrated top-100 fantasy potential, nearly reaching that mark last season. With trades affecting his teammates, Wallace's role is set to expand this year, likely keeping him in a prominent position in the Thunder lineup alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Collin Murray-Boyles, F/C, Toronto Raptors: The 2025 ninth overall pick faced injury challenges during his rookie season but showed promise. He averaged 8.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and has a skill set that could excel in fantasy leagues. With starting center Jakob Poeltl healthy now, there is still room for Murray-Boyles to improve his contributions.

Quentin Grimes, G/F, Los Angeles Lakers: After signing a one-year qualifying offer with Philadelphia, Grimes impressed enough to secure a multi-year deal with the Lakers. Although playing alongside stars like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves may limit his usage, his shooting and defensive skills will be beneficial. Grimes may emerge as a reliable fantasy contributor this season.

Egor Dëmin, G, Brooklyn Nets: Dëmin stood out among the Nets' 2025 draft class, starting 45 out of 52 games last season. He averaged 10.3 points and shot 38.5 percent from three. A positional change to point guard in the preseason and the addition of Julius Randle could enhance his fantasy outlook as he enters Year 2 of his career.